 "India seeks 'exemplary action' over controversial Indira Gandhi assassination float in Canada")
After a float depicting the assassination of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi featured during a Khalistani demonstration at Indian consulate in Vancouver last week, another such display involving the late PM featured at an event in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Sunday, forcing India to formally raise the matter with Canadian authorities seeking “exemplary action” against the public display of violence and hatred.
“We sincerely urge all levels of governments in Canada to take exemplary action against the public display of violence and hatred,” Hindustan Times quoted India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma as saying in a statement, as it formally raised the matter with Global Affairs Canada, the country’s foreign ministry.
According to the report, the float, part of a demonstration taken out in Brampton to mark the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, featured an effigy of Indira Gandhi as she was being fired upon by her bodyguards. Other than the float, posters stating that her “punishment” had been “delivered” on October 31, 1984, the date of the assassination, were also prominently displayed.
The display also included pictures of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure slain in Surrey, British Columbia on 18 June, 2023, juxtaposed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement in the House of Commons suggesting “credible allegations” of a possible connection between Indian agents and the murder.
Beneath them was a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, captioned with “punishment waiting”, added the report.
“Indian nationals living in Canada feel intimidated by such hatred being propagated. Unfortunately, this has happened in Canada time and again. Canadian systems and society have failed to put any cost on the perpetrators,” added Verma.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAfter the Vancouver event on Thursday, India had said that it will formally raise the matter with Canadian authorities.
“The formal diplomatic complaint, a note verbale, will be conveyed to Global Affairs Canada, the country’s foreign ministry on Friday,” a Hindustan Times report had quoted a senior Indian official as saying.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday hit out at Canada for allowing a float in a parade, perceived to be glorification of violence by Sikh separatists.
“I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence,” Jaishankar told reporters in New Delhi while commenting about the tableau in a parade.
“I think it is not good for relationships, not good for Canada,” he said.
Canada’s High Commissioner in India also condemned the incident at a parade in the Canadian city of Brampton.
“I am appalled by reports of an event in Canada that celebrated the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,” Cameron MacKay said on X.
Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 by two Sikh bodyguards after she allowed the storming of the holiest Sikh temple, aimed at flushing out Sikh separatists who demanded an independent homeland to be known as Khalistan.
The storming of the temple angered Sikhs around the world. The death toll in the attack remains disputed, with Indian authorities putting it in the hundreds and Sikh groups in the thousands.
Canada has the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab in India.
Earlier this year India summoned Canada’s High Commissioner to convey concern over pro-Khalistan protesters in Canada who breached the security of India’s diplomatic mission and consulates.
“There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities,” he added.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
